category
10 July 2006
A new category, namely Top Contributor to Agriculture, was launched for the
annual Female Farmer competition to acknowledge women who do not farm
themselves, but contribute to agriculture in different ways. The awards
ceremony will be held on 4 August.
"President Mbeki, in his State of the Nation Address, centred his speech on
the concept of an era of hope. The women involved in agriculture in this
province are the ultimate providers of hope," says Ms Joyene Isaacs, Head of
the Department of Agriculture. "Their contribution is essential in rural
communities, they build bridges between people, and they make their mark in a
previously male-dominated environment and they make a crucial difference in the
battle against poverty. The Western Cape Department of Agriculture wants to
acknowledge those women who do not farm themselves, but are involved in
agriculture on another level."
Other categories include top exporter, top producer for national markets,
and top producer for household use.
"The new category is for women who make a tangible contribution to
agriculture in general," says Charlene Nieuwoudt, communication manager of the
department. "This includes women who do developmental work in the agricultural
sector, educators in the context of agriculture or someone who promotes
agriculture as a sector or a specific agricultural industry."
The criteria for this new category specifies that candidates should be
innovative and creative in their contribution to agriculture, they must be
dedicated to the protection of our natural resources, they have to promote
equality and create sustainable job opportunities.
Nominations closed on 20 June, and the judging will take place on 17 and 18
July. The awards ceremony will take place on 4 August.
Enqueries:
Gizelle van Wyk
Tel: (021) 808 5022
E-mail: gizellevw@elsenburg.com
Issued by: Department of Agriculture, Western Cape Provincial
Government
10 July 2006
Source: Western Cape Provincial Government (http://www.capegateway.gov.za)
